Game Primer: How To Watch, Things to Know for Southern Utah at Kansas
The Kansas Jayhawks are still undefeated, after defeating the Duke Blue Devils earlier this week to tie Duke for the best record in the event. And they did it based on the heroics of Jalen Wilson. Up next is a tune up against the Southern Utah Thunderbirds out of the Western Athletic Conference
The Thunderbirds are in their seventh season under head coach Todd Simon, and they finished 2nd in the WAC last season. They are 99-95 overall under Simon and 52-48 in the WAC.
Kansas fell one spot in the AP Poll this week to sixth, but maintained its ranking in fifth in the Coaches Poll. Southern Utah is unranked.
This is the first meeting between these two programs. The Jayhawks are 8-0 against teams that are currently in the Western Athletic Conference, including two games played last season (Tarleton State and Stephen F Austin).
Here are the essentials:
How to Watch
Friday, November 18th, 7:00 p.m. CST
Lawrence, KS: Allen Fieldhouse (16,300)
TV: Big 12 Now on ESPN+
- Dave Armstrong (Play-by-Play), Nick Bahe (Analyst), Kennetra Pulliams (Reporter)
Radio: Jayhawk Radio Network
- Brian Hanni (Play-by-Play), Greg Gurley (Analyst)
The Numbers
#6/#5 Kansas: 3-0, KenPom: 8th overall, 18th offense, 7th defense
Southern Utah: 3-1, KenPom: 166th overall, 128th offense, 230th defense
Line: KU -21.5
O/U: 152.5
Odds via SI Sportsbook
Game Coverage
Game Predictions from the Blue Wings Rising staff
Listen to the latest basketball episode of the Rock Chalk Podcast with Andy Mitts and Kyle Davis.
Follow along during the game with live updates and analysis from both the Blue Wings Rising Instagram and Rock Chalk Podcast Twitter accounts.
Come join the conversation in the Blue Wings Rising Watch Party over in our Discord Server.
Fun Facts
The Jayhawks lead the conference in blocked shots, averaging 8 blocks per game. That is good for 8th nationally. Against Duke, they blocked 13 shots, the most since they also tallied 13 blocks against #21 San Diego State on January 5, 2014.
Jalen Wilson is leading the Big 12 in three categories: scoring (21.7 points per game), rebounding (10.3 rebounds per game) and doubles-doubles (2). Dajuan Harris leads the Big 12 and is third nationally in assist-to-turnover ratio at 11.5
The Jayhawks are on a 14-game winning streak, dating back to the end of last season. That is good for a tie at 7th on the all-time list for Kansas under Bill Self. It is the only such streak that spans over an offseason.
